Frontline Construction

Bathroom materials are an integral part of bathroom design, covering flooring, tiling, and vanity units. Choosing the right material for your bathroom can be a difficult choice, that’s why we’ve put together this blog post to present the most popular options available for bathroom design. This post will be going through a range of bathroom materials discussing ceramic, limestone, marble, granite, and terracotta bathrooms. We will assess their suitability both in terms of design and practicality, helping you to find inspiration for your bathroom renovation this spring.

Ceramic

Ceramic is a highly durable material making it ideal for bathrooms, what’s more it is also nonporous which means its very easy to maintain and doesn’t require much cleaning. Ceramics are also generally cheaper than natural stone materials, making them ideal for when the budget is limited. A minor drawback with ceramics is that they don’t retain heat very well, meaning they will get cold easily during the winter months. However, this can easily be fixed with a central or underfloor heating system. We’d recommend using ceramics for family bathrooms due to their high durability and ease of maintenance.

Limestone

Limestone offers an excellent mix of both aesthetics and practicality as it has a stunning finish but is also highly resistant to mould and bacteria, making it an excellent choice for a bathroom material. However, limestone is more expensive than artificial materials as it is a natural stone, this also means it has high maintenance needs as it is a naturally porous material which is susceptible to water damage. We’d recommend using limestone for luxury bathroom’s with relatively low use, as it is a stunning material but requires regular maintenance and is less durable than other bathroom materials.

Marble

Marble is one of the most sought-after bathroom materials due to its bold, striking finish. However, it comes at a high price point and has greater maintenance requirements than other materials. Once installed, it is recommended that marble is re-sealed annually as it is a porous material which can stain easily when coming in to contact with substances such as foods, beverages, and cleaning products. The material is also highly slippery when wet therefore non-slip mats should be used for protection, especially in bathrooms used by children or the elderly. Marble is an excellent option for those looking for a high-end finish, but for ease of maintenance and durability, other materials may provide a better alternative.

Granite

Granite is a popular choice for bathrooms due to its high durability and natural looking aesthetic. It is harder than other natural stones which means it is highly resistant to scratches and cracking. Additionally, it is well resilient against water damage and is a generally long-lasting material. A drawback of using granite for bathroom design is its high price point, similar to that of marble. We’d recommend using granite for a high-traffic, family bathroom due to its excellent durability and long-lasting characteristics.

Terracotta

Terracotta has a highly distinct, rustic look which can’t be matched by other materials, making it a popular choice for bathrooms. In its natural form, terracotta is not recommended for bathrooms due to its high porosity, however there are many treated versions which make it a much more viable option. Terracotta also has high maintenance requirements similar to limestone and marble. We’d recommend using terracotta if you’re looking to incorporate an earthy, natural look to your bathroom as this material has a very unique aesthetic. Conversely, it may not be suitable for high-traffic bathrooms due to its high porosity and difficult maintenance needs. We hope you’ve enjoyed this post summarising the most popular materials available for your bathroom renovation, and if you’d like to enquire about our services, please call us on 0208 914 7832 or E-Mail info@frontline-construction.com